1st birthday party ideas

Hi, Just wondering what everyone did for their babies first birthdays? Did you go all out and have a big party or just a small family gathering? Since our house is not the biggest, I can't decide if we should have 2 parties- one for close family & friends and one for the babies/toddlers or just have a combined party. Not that she will remember it, just want to celebrate the occasion and make it a fun day for Ella

We are having the big party this year :) No theme as such but I found a place that hires bouncy castles suitable for this age group for $75 a weekend!!
We don't have a big house either but I figure that it is only for a couple of hours and most of the babies/kids will be in the bouncy castle or outside playing (pray for fine weather!!!)

lol stacey, we can't decide either whether to have it at ours or my parents. We had her baptism at their place, so probably thinking it is our turn to have her party. It's a bugger about it being winter and having to plan something inside.

We jsut had mroning tea at my place for Fay and my baby friends a couple of days before hand, then picnic on the beach with close friends (no family in NZ) on the day. Really low key but it was lovely, lots of nice memories of Fay eating sand

We just had luke's Birthday and decided on a sunday b.b.q lunch with close friends and family about 45 people came about 7 babies. Lovely fine day and we have a good sized back yard. I went to the local toy library and got a slide, car and rocking horse thing. This was a hit the babies all around one had a grea time.
Also found having an area with a rug and toys good too. A swing was great too the babies loved it.

Having one party was the best, my advice plan for a lunch or afternoon tea after sleep time. Luke did so well because he had a 2 hour sleep he woke at 1.30 and was ready to party.

The cake was a hit my friend made a teddy bear cake it was awesome. Luke's eyes just about popped out of his head.!As he dived hands first into it. Great photo's!!

I found a smallish family friends casual party was awesome for us!

Linzy wrote: We also had a joint 1st birthday with our coffee group the other week for all the babies, that way there wasn't the pressure to invite all of them as well. We went to the cafe at Kiwi Valley Farm and then went round the farm. It was fun and no one had the big job of tidying up or catering

That's a good idea. have been wondering what to do about our coffee group as quite a few of the babies have birthdays within a couple of weeks of each other and one little girl has the same birthday as Ella. Might suggest that next time we catch up.